Tiara Jade

Tiara Jade
Posted on April 15th, 2016

When did you first find out you wanted to be a visual artist?

I always liked doing art when I was a kid, and it was always something I would sit there for hours doing, drawing after drawing, page after page. Once I got into high school is when I started taking it more seriously, because I realized that I was good at it. I still do it as much as I can now. It’s relaxing, it’s still something I want to get better at. Whenever I get the chance, I still sit down and work on my art.

What program are you in?

I’m actually in journalism. I also like to write, and like storytelling and talking. Journalism is where I went and art is my side hobby that I like to do as well. Later on, I hope to find a way that I can incorporate the two of them. They’re probably the two things that I like to do the most.

Do you see it relating to your journalistic ambitions?

I’m not sure yet. It’s still my first year in the journalism program, so I’m still trying to find out where I fit and what I like and where I can see myself fitting in exactly. Hopefully when that all fits together, there’s a connection to art as well, so that I can incorporate them to work together.

What made you pick Centennial?

I chose Centennial one, because it was 15 minutes from my house and, two, I did really like the program and the way the school looked and all of that. Everything just clicked and I couldn’t deny all of that. If that’s how it’s all looking good then that’s how it’s going to be.

Have you had a chance to work with other artists at SAC?

Not yet, I’ve mainly just been focused on my journalism. Which is why my art kind of took a back seat to it. Just because that’s been my number one focus. Now that school is kind of dying down, there’s going to be more time, that’s when I will go more into it. When you sit down to paint or draw, it takes a few hours.

Any tips for students looking to do a creative hobby on the side?

I’d say try to do your best to make time for it, because there’s other things that can definitely take priority and you may not get a chance. If it is something that you really do want to do, then you have to make time for it. Keep practicing, whenever you get the chance. Even if you’re doodling in class, that’s still practice. Even if you know there are days where you have no time, I still get in some kind of work. Even if it’s just those little doodles for half an hour.

Do your classmates know you do art on the side?

Yes they do. Actually on my first day, that was when everyone found out, because I was doodling my teacher called me for the introduction and she asked what I was doing, and two girls who were sitting by me who are now two of my closest friends said “Oh miss, she’s drawing…” the teacher came over, looked at the paper, checked it out. And I was just like, “oh my gosh, it’s the first day and I’m already…”

Do you feel it relates back to other things in your life?

I think it’s a bunch of things. Sometimes it’s an outlet when you have a lot of feelings built up. It’s just nice to let it all out. Put in your headphones, block out the world and you get to just let everything out on that piece of paper or canvas, and then it goes from blank to something that wasn’t there two hours ago. Sometimes it’s just very relaxing when you’re really stressed out, just pick up a pen or a pencil, just draw something, anything.

Any particular medium or style you enjoy?

I like to experiment with different media and that’s always an interesting process. In the beginning it’s always pretty bad, but then you get the hang of it. Usually I just stick with pencil, acrylic paints or charcoal.

What made you want to paint the lions?

Lions are my favourite animals, I’ve actually done a lot of drawings of lions as well. Because they’re my favourite animal, I feel like when I paint or draw them it always turns out exactly the way I want. Whenever I’m drawing something that I really like, lions or food for example, those pictures turn out great because I think it’s just things that I love.